When is the best time to make reservations for dinner? How long does dining there ususally take? Can you watch the fireworks from the restaurant? Is there balcony you can use to view the fireworks?
When is the best time to make reservations for dinner? How long does dining there ususally take? Can you watch the fireworks from the restaurant? Is there balcony you can use to view the fireworks?
I think the answer to the first is "Whatever time you can get!" as it is a very popular place. It's a signature restaurant with professional but friendly service. I've never been there less than 2.5 hours (sometimes longer but I am not in a rush).
They dim the lights and pipe in the music for fireworks. If you don't have the best seat for viewing, you can go out onto their balcony which also has speakers for the music.
If you are trying to time your meal to fireworks, you need to first have an idea when fireworks will be shown during your visit. If your meal does not coincide with the show, they will allow you back in to watch from the balcony or lounge. Our first time there, we walked around the Poly, then came back.
So I'm reading my bean feed...
"...since I don’t do drugs, I spend the money that I save on good dried beans." David Lebovitz
We are eating there on our trip in three weeks. When I called to do our ressies (180 days out) I was asked if I was interested in a fireworks seating I told her I was and ended up with a 7:45 seating. She said they would time the meal accordingly if needed.
Ps. I just checked and fireworks are scheduled for 10 pm that night.
Katrina
I was there once and they asked if I wanted to hold my entree so I could watch the fireworks in the middle of my meal.
Katrina, it sounds like they figure you'll just be finishing by the time fireworks start or time it with dessert if there's a little wait for your table.
Cathy
745 should be just about perfect. we were seated at at 545 and the fireworks didnt' start till 10. our server was great about spreading our meal and drinks out. we were a large party and we ended up sitting in the lounge (the view was better than they table they were going to give us) and we had a great time. We had our DD's who are 8 and 11 and our friends DD who is 15 and they were incredibly well behaved the whole night, it was a long meal but they were prepared for it. They were ready to go when the fireworks were over and we walked over to MK just in time for the Main St Electrical Parade. enjoy it. your going to have a wonderful time!
The night we were there it was VERY windy out on the patio.
One thing about Cali Grill is that they are VERY accommodating. Never been rushed there and they will time your food around the fireworks if you desire. At the same time, if you get an early reservation, you can enjoy your meal, go do something else for a bit, and then go back up to the observation platform at show time if you want. Just hold onto your receipt and arrive around 10-15 mins before showtime.
The search function is like the Force. It may take practice, but the more you use it, the more control you will have over it!
Thanks everybody! I am hoping to have a quick WDW trip this summer with just the hubby. I am hoping that could have a nice dinner at California Grill and enjoy the fireworks. I like the idea of being able to eat and then come back and enjoy the fireworks. Thanks again!
We haven't needed a receipt the last couple of times. They just looked us up at the reservation desk before directing us to the elevator.Originally Posted by GusMan
So I'm reading my bean feed...
"...since I don’t do drugs, I spend the money that I save on good dried beans." David Lebovitz
As much as I enjoy the CG, and as cool as it is to watch the fireworks up there, it's still not as cool as being inside the MK, somewhere in front of the castle, and seeing the fireworks as they were intended to be seen. Yeah, you have to face the crowds, but for me it's very worth it. My routine of late is to have a sunset dinner at the CG, then monorail to the Grand Floridian where I enjoy a martini or 3 at Mizner's Lounge, then monorail to the MK where I enjoy the fireworks show. Then I'll just find a place to sit down and watch the mad rush of the crowd for the exit!
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
Okay... I have 2 9:30 reservations in October. One for after park closing (DH in in meetings until 4/4:30 so I'm not wasting park time on eating) on our MK day. The other is during MNSSHP and Hallowishes will show at 9:30, we will leave Epcot before closing and take the monorail over (we are watching illuminations another night).
Which would you keep?
I would keep the one that shows Hallowishes. Its slightly different than the usual Wishes presentation.
The search function is like the Force. It may take practice, but the more you use it, the more control you will have over it!
We really enjoy Hallowishes so I think that's a good choice.
Uh-oh. California Grill is closing for extensive renovations beginning January 6, 2013 until the late summer of 2013.
http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/...close_for.html
Good thing you scheduled this for you & DH this time around! It will be a magical memory.
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney
Well, looks like I'll finally have no choice but to make it to BlueZoo in February.
So I'm reading my bean feed...
"...since I don’t do drugs, I spend the money that I save on good dried beans." David Lebovitz
This is truly frightening! I will be eating there in September of this year, so I'll get to enjoy it as I always have. Who knows what the geniuses in WDW design will come up with. I can only cross my fingers . . . . . .
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
yay!
Working hard for that next WDW trip! December 2013
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